Dual Expandable Tray

ABSTRACT

This invention is directed to an expandable utensil tray that may be expandable both in length and width, and consisting of one main element and one or more drawer trays nestable therein. The expandable storage tray is particularly suitable as a drawer organizer which maximizes space utilization.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to and claims priority benefit of U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/203,984 entitled “DualExpandable Tray”, which was filed on Aug. 12, 2015 and the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to storage trays and organizers.More particularly, the present invention relates to an expandablestorage tray that is adjustable both in length and width. As a result,the expandable storage tray is particularly suitable as a drawerorganizer which maximizes space utilization.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most of current storage trays and organizers are of a one-piecestructure making them impractical to fully utilize drawer and otherconfined spaces. They are further impractical as they often slide withinconfined spaces, which may undesirably reconfigure the space and mayalso cause loose objects to be inadvertently hindered under such traysand organizers.

An improvement of space utilization is shown by storage trays andorganizers that are expandable in one single direction, either in lengthor width, such as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,463,343, 6,129,433, 2008/0202976,2008/0073241, 2008/0083753 and 2011/0084584. Compared to one-piecestructures, such devices provide improved space coverage in one singledirection and are still easily manufacturable in only two pieces.Nevertheless, they underutilize the confined spaces they are intended toorganize, typically leaving a significantly amount of unused spaceoutside their perimeter either along their width or along their length.Additionally, the occasional slip of loose objects under such devicesmay also happen.

A few other approaches attempt to provide trays and organizers withfurther improved space utilization of confined spaces. One such approachis to provide a base structure which may be cut to fit precisely withina drawer, along with other structures to be assembled on top of saidbase structure for compartmentalization (U.S. Pat. No. 8,628,155).However, many users find cutting and assembly tasks inconvenient andonce structures are cut, they will likely not fit within anotherconfined space. Other organizers provide both length and widthadjustability through extendible parts, but they are composed of amultitude of pieces, disadvantageously requiring a user to assemble themtogether (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,073,794 and 6,871,921).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a utensil tray assembly comprising, a quadrilateral maintray having a floor, the floor having a linear gap running from one edgeof the floor toward an opposite edge of the floor, the gap beingdelimited by upstanding walls disposed opposite one another, theupstanding walls being interconnected with one another by a ridge, theupstanding walls and the ridge defining a channel, a first quadrilateraldrawer tray having a second floor with a boundary edge, the boundaryedge having an upstanding edge wall on at least two sides of theboundary edge, the first quadrilateral drawer tray having an upstandinginterior wall disposed perpendicular to the upstanding edge wall, theupstanding interior wall having a thickness sized for being slideablydisposed in the channel and allowing the second floor to be slid underthe floor for setting a size of the tray assembly.

In another aspect, the main tray has a main tray upstanding edge wall,the main tray upstanding wall has an opening that is an entrance to thechannel.

In another aspect, the tray assembly further includes a secondquadrilateral drawer tray having a third floor, with a second boundaryedge, the second boundary edge having a second upstanding edge wall onthree sides of the second boundary edge, the third floor being sized sothat the second upstanding wall slides over a main tray upstanding edgewall around the floor.

In another aspect, the tray assembly further includes, a thirdquadrilateral drawer tray having a fourth floor with a third boundaryedge, the third boundary edge having a third upstanding edge wall on twosides of the third boundary edge, the second upstanding edge wall havingan L-shaped retainer attached on a top edge of the second upstandingedge wall and extending parallel to the second upstanding edge wall fordefining a gap between a leg of the retainer and the second upstandingedge wall, the gap being sized for slideably receiving and holding thethird upstanding edge wall therein.

In another aspect, the leg is parallel to the second upstanding edgewall.

In another aspect, the upstanding edge wall has a further L-shapedretainer attached on a top edge of the upstanding edge wall and whichextends parallel to the upstanding edge wall to define a second gapbetween a leg of the further retainer and the upstanding edge wall, thesecond gap being sized to slideably receive and hold the thirdupstanding edge wall therein.

In another aspect, the floor is stepped on one side of the gap fordefining a recess for receiving the third floor under the floor in apushed-in position of the second quadrilateral drawer tray.

In another aspect, the second floor is stepped on a side of the interiorwall that corresponds to the one side of the gap.

In another aspect, the second floor is disposed between the first floorand the third floor in the recess when the second floor and the thirdfloor are positioned in the recess.

Disclosed as another embodiment, is a utility tray assembly comprising,a quadrilateral main tray having a floor defining two outer sides of theutility tray assembly, the two outer sides having an upstanding walldisposed there along, the floor having a channel disposed centrally inthe floor, the channel being parallel with one outer side of the twoouter sides, a quadrilateral drawer tray having a second floor defininga portion of the one outer side and a further outer side of the utilitytray assembly, the portion of the one outer side and the further outerside having a further upstanding wall disposed there along, the secondfloor having an upstanding engaging wall disposed centrally on thesecond floor and extending parallel to the portion of the one outerside, the engaging wall being slideably guided in the channel.

In another aspect, the channel is defined by a first central upstandingwall and a second central upstanding wall opposite the first centralupstanding wall and a ridge connecting the first and second centralupstanding walls, the floor having a gap formed therein between thefirst and second central upstanding walls.

In another aspect, the tray assembly further comprises a secondquadrilateral drawer tray having a third floor with a third upstandingwall disposed around three edges of the third floor, the upstanding wallbeing disposed along three sides of the floor, the third floor beingsized for allowing the third upstanding wall to slide around the floorand the upstanding wall.

In another aspect, the floor is stepped on one side of the channel todefine a recess on an underside of the floor, the recess receives thethird floor in a pushed-in position of the second quadrilateral drawertray.

Furthermore, disclosed is an expandable utensil tray suitable fororganizing the space of a drawer, expandable both in length and width,and including, a main element comprising two box members within aperimeter, a one first box member being integrally connected to a secondbox member along upper transverse edges by a ridge that keeps thecorresponding transverse walls in close proximity but physically apartfrom one another and therewith forming an inverted U-shaped tunnel, afirst drawer element consisting of a base, two transverse side walls anda front wall, all the walls upwardly and contiguously extending from thebase, wherein the first drawer element is nestable within the first boxmember of the main element, a second drawer element comprising twocompartments within a perimeter, an anterior compartment consisting of abase and an upwardly and contiguously extending side wall and aposterior compartment consisting of a base, a side wall, a front walland a back wall, and all the walls upwardly and contiguously extendingfrom the base, wherein the anterior compartment is integrally connectedto the posterior compartment through the front wall thereof, the frontwall of the posterior compartment is slidably nestable within theinverted U-shaped tunnel of the main element, the anterior compartmentis nestable within the first drawer element, the posterior compartmentis nestable within the second box member of the main element, wherebythe second drawer element is nestable within the first drawer elementwithin the main element, and a third drawer element consisting of abase, a front wall and a side wall, both the walls upwardly andcontiguously extending from the base, wherein the third drawer elementis nestable within the anterior compartment of the second drawer,whereby the third drawer is nestable within the second drawer elementwithin the first drawer element within the main element.

In another aspect, a portion of the upper edge of the front wall of thefirst drawer element and of the upper edge of the side wall of thesecond drawer element's anterior compartment extend outwardly for ashort distance before further extending downwardly and parallel to theirrespective walls, thus defining retainers where the walls of the thirddrawer element are inserted, whereby the first and second drawerelements are slidably connected to the third drawer element.

In another aspect, most of the upper edge of the front wall of the firstdrawer element and most of the upper edge of the side wall of the seconddrawer element's anterior compartment extend outwardly for a shortdistance before further extending downwardly and parallel to theirrespective walls, thus forming invented U-shaped tunnels where the wallsof the third drawer element are inserted, whereby the first and seconddrawer elements are slidably connected to the third drawer element.

In another aspect, the first drawer element comprises retaining ridgesconsisting of short inward extensions of a portion of the first drawerelement's side walls and off the upper edges and close to the freevertical edges thereof, whereby the first drawer is prevented fromfalling off the main element once nested therein.

In another aspect, the posterior compartment of the second drawerelement comprises a retaining ridge consisting of a short inwardextension of a portion of the posterior compartment's back wall and offthe upper edge and close to the free vertical edge thereof, whereby thesecond drawer is partially prevented from falling off the second boxmember of the main element once nested therein.

In another aspect, the third drawer element comprises retaining ridgesconsisting of short inward extensions of a portion of the third drawerelement's front and side walls and off the upper edges and close to thefree vertical edges thereof, whereby the third drawer is prevented fromfalling off from both the first and second drawer elements once thewalls of the third drawer is inserted into the retainers and nestedwithin the second drawer within the first drawer within the mainelement, and thus supporting the second drawer and indirectly preventingit from falling off the main element.

In another aspect, the main element comprises two box members within aperimeter, a back wall of a first box member and a front wall of asecond box member extending upwardly for only a short distance beforecombining into a common wall that connects the first and second boxmembers, therewithin a lower inverted U-shaped tunnel is formed.

In another aspect, the front wall of the posterior compartment's thirddrawer element extends upwardly for a height substantially similar tothat of the inverted U-shaped tunnel.

In another aspect, a portion of the upper edge of a side wall of thefirst box member extend outwardly for a short distance before furtherextending downwardly and parallel to the side wall, thus defining aretainer where a side wall of the first drawer element is inserted,whereby a user is enabled to more easily push and pull the the first andthird drawer elements, respectively, to and fro the box member.

In another aspect, most of the upper edge of a side wall of the firstbox member extend outwardly for a short distance before furtherextending downwardly and parallel to the side wall, thus defining aninverted U-shaped tunnel where a side wall of the first drawer elementis inserted, whereby a user is enabled to more easily push and pull thethe first and third drawer elements, respectively, to and fro the boxmember.

In yet another embodiment, disclosed is an expandable utensil traysuitable for organizing the space of a drawer, expandable both in lengthand width, and including, a main element comprising two box memberswithin a perimeter, a one first box member being integrally connected toa second box member through a common wall a first drawer elementcomprising two compartments within a perimeter, an anterior compartmentconsisting of a base, a front wall and a side wall, both walls upwardlyand contiguously extending front the base and a posterior compartmentconsisting of a base, a side wall and a back wall, and all the wallsupwardly and contiguously extending from the base, wherein the anteriorcompartment is integrally connected to the posterior compartment throughthe bases and side walls, the anterior compartment is nestable withinthe first box member and the posterior compartment is nestable withinthe second box member, whereby the first drawer element is nestablewithin the main element, a second drawer element consisting of a base, aside walls and a front wall, all the walls upwardly and contiguouslyextending from the base, wherein the second drawer element is nestablewithin the anterior compartment of the first drawer element, whereby thesecond drawer element is nestable within the first drawer element withinthe main element, and a third drawer element consisting of a base, afront wall and a side wall, both the walls upwardly and contiguouslyextending from the base, wherein the third drawer element is nestablewithin the second drawer element, whereby the third drawer is nestablewithin the second drawer element within the first drawer element withinthe main element.

In another aspect, a portion of the upper edge of the side wall of themain element extend outwardly for a short distance before furtherextending downwardly and parallel to the side wall, thus defining aretainer where a side wall of second drawer element is inserted, wherebythe second drawer elements is slidably connected to the main element.

In another aspect, a most of the upper edge of the side wall of the mainelement extend outwardly for a short distance before further extendingdownwardly and parallel to the side wall, thus forming an inventedU-shaped tunnel where a side wall of second drawer element is inserted,whereby the second drawer elements is slidably connected to the mainelement.

In another aspect, a portion of the upper edge of the side of the firstdrawer element's anterior compartment and of the upper edge of the frontwall of the second drawer element extend outwardly for a short distancebefore further extending downwardly and parallel to their respectivewalls, thus defining retainers where the walls of the third drawerelement are inserted, whereby the first and second drawer elements areslidably connected to the third drawer element.

In another aspect, most of the upper edge of the side of the firstdrawer element's anterior compartment and most of the upper edge of thefront wall of the second drawer element extend outwardly for a shortdistance before further extending downwardly and parallel to theirrespective walls, thus defining invented U-shaped tunnels where thewalls of the third drawer element are inserted, whereby the first andsecond drawer elements are slidably connected to the third drawerelement.

In another aspect, the first drawer element comprises retaining ridgesconsisting of short inward extensions of a portion of the first drawerelement's side walls and off the upper edges and close to the freevertical edges thereof, whereby the first drawer is prevented fromfalling off the main element once nested therein.

In another aspect, the side wall of the second drawer element comprisesa retaining ridge consisting of a short inward extension of a portion ofthe upper edge thereof and close to the free vertical edge thereof,whereby the second drawer is partially prevented from falling off thesecond box member of the main element once nested therein.

In another aspect, the third drawer element comprises retaining ridgesconsisting of short inward extensions of a portion of the third drawerelement's front and side walls and off the upper edges and close to thefree vertical edges thereof, whereby the third drawer is prevented fromfalling off from both the first and second drawer elements once thewalls of the third drawer is inserted into the retainers and nestedwithin the second drawer within the first drawer within the mainelement, and thus supporting the second drawer and indirectly preventingit from falling off the main element.

One aspect of the present invention provides a dual expandable storagetray that expands both in width and in length for fully covering thearea of a confined space, thus maximizing space utilization therein. Inone preferred embodiment of the storage tray, the tray includes one mainelement and 3 drawer elements nestable therein.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a first and a thirddrawer element are slidably adjustable to increase the length of thestorage tray, whereas a second and the third drawer are slidablyadjustable to increase the width of the storage tray.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the main elementincludes two box members within a perimeter, one box member beingintegrally connected to the other box member along upper transverseedges by a ridge that keeps the corresponding transverse walls in closeproximity but physically apart from one another, thus forming aninverted U-shaped tunnel therewithin. The inverted U-shaped tunnelserves to further slidably connect a drawer element to the main element.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the tray includesretainers for releasably securing the individual elements thereoftogether.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a shows a perspective view of a dual expandable utensil tray in afully collapsed configuration, according to embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 1b shows a top view of the dual expandable utensil tray accordingto FIG. 1a , according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 1c shows a perspective view of the dual expandable utensil tray ina fully expanded configuration, according to embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the dual expandable utensil tray withits individual elements substantially apart from one another, accordingto embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a partial top view of the dual expandable utensil tray in afully collapsed configuration, according to embodiments of the presentinvention,

FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of upstanding walls of the dualexpandable utensil tray according to embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a main element according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6a and FIG.-6 b show partial perspective views of a first drawertray according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7a shows a cross sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 1b (crosssectional view is not to scale), according to embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7b shows a cross sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 1b (crosssectional view is not to scale), according to embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7c shows a cross sectional view along line C-C of FIG. 1b (crosssectional view is not to scale), according to embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the dual expandable utensil tray withits individual elements substantially apart from one another accordingto other embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9a shows a side view of a main element according to embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 9b shows a longitudinal cross sectional view of the main element,according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10a shows a perspective view of a main element, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 10b shows a transverse cross sectional view of a first box memberof the main element, according to further embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a dual expandable utensil tray withits individual elements substantially apart from one another, accordingto other embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a dual expandable utensil tray withits individual elements substantially apart from one another, accordingto a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13a shows a perspective view of a partially expanded dualexpandable utensil tray, according to embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13b shows a top view of a fully collapsed dual expandable utensiltray, according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 14a shows a cross sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 13b ,according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 14b shows a cross sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 13b ,according to embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 14c shows a cross sectional view along line C-C of FIG. 13b ,according to embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made to the drawings showing embodiments of the presentinvention, wherein same reference numbers refer to the same componentsof utensil trays in different views.

The present invention is directed to a dual expandable utensil tray,preferably a dual expandable utensil tray for placement within aconfined space, and more preferably a dual expandable utensil tray forplacement inside of a drawer. The present invention is discussed hereinwith respect to an expandable tray for purposes of illustrating the gistof the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not tobe limited solely to the exact configuration and construction asillustrated and set forth herein. It is to be understood that the terms“tray” and “element” may be applied invariably herein. For example, thevarious tray elements of the dual expandable utensil tray may bereferred to as “elements”.

FIGS. 1a and 1c show perspective views and atop view of one embodimentof a dual expandable tray assembly 010. The tray 010 is adjustable froma fully contracted configuration (FIGS. 1a and 3) to a fully expandedconfiguration (FIG. 1c ) in which both its length and width aresubstantially extended, thus providing a user with maximal spacecoverage in a confined space such as a drawer. The tray 010 includes amain tray 100 and three drawer trays (200, 300 and 400) nestable thereinand that may be pulled from or pushed towards the tray 100 to adjust thetray's length and width (FIGS. 1a-c and 2). Trays 100, 200, 300 and 400may also be completely set apart from one another (FIG. 2).

In a preferred embodiment, the main tray 100 includes two box memberswithin a substantially rectangular perimeter. A first box member 110 hasa base, two side walls parallel to one another (111 a and 111 b), afront wall 112 a and a back wall 112 b parallel to one another, and allsaid walls extending upwardly and contiguously from said base's edges(FIGS. 2 and 4). The first box member 110 is integrally and contiguouslyconnected to a second box member 120 along the upper edges of the backwall 112 b and of a front wall 122 a by a ridge 130 (FIGS. 2-5). Thesecond box member 120 has a base, two side walls parallel to one another(121 a and 121 b , a front wall 122 a and a back wall 122 b parallel toone another, and all said walls extending upwardly and contiguously fromsaid base's edges (FIGS. 2 and 4). The ridge 130 keeps the back wall 112b of box member 110 and the front wall 112 a of box member 120 in closeproximity but physically apart from one another and forms therewith aninverted U-shaped tunnel 140 (FIGS. 4 and 5). In one aspect of thisembodiment, the box member 120 is compartmentalized by threelongitudinal, inner walls 123 that extend upwardly from the box's baseand are contiguous therewith and with the box's front and back walls(FIGS. 2 and 4).

In one embodiment, the box 110 is compartmentalized by the inclusion ofinner walls.

In one embodiment, the box member 120 is provided without any innerwalls. In another embodiment, the box 120 is provided with a pluralityof transverse inner walls for compartmentalization. In a furtherembodiment, the box 120 is provided with a plurality of transverse andlongitudinal inner walls for compartmentalization.

A first drawer tray 200 has a substantially rectangular base, two sidewalls parallel to one another (201 a and 201 b ), a front wall 202, andall said walls extending upwardly and contiguously from said base'sedges (FIGS. 2 and 4). Additionally, a portion of the upper edge of thefront wall 202, close to the side wall 201 b, extends outwardly for ashort distance before further extending downwardly and parallel to thewall 202, thereby forming a retainer 215 (FIGS. 2 and 6 a). A seconddrawer tray 300 includes two contiguous compartments: an anteriorcompartment 310 and a posterior compartment 320 (FIGS. 2 and 4). Theanterior compartment 310 has a substantially rectangular base and acontiguous upwardly extending side wall 311, and is contiguously andintegrally connected to the posterior compartment 320 through the frontwall 322 a thereof. The compartment 310 further includes a retainer 315(FIG. 2) which has a similar construction to retainer 215. Morespecifically, the retainer 315 is formed as a portion of the upper edgeof the side wall 311, close to the free vertical edge thereof, extendsoutwardly for a short distance before further extending downwardly andparallel to the wall 311. The compartment 320 has a substantiallyrectangular base, a front wall 322 a and a back wall 322 b parallel toone another, a side wall 321, and all said walls extending upwardly andcontiguously from said base's edges (FIG. 4). A third drawer tray 400has a substantially rectangular base, a front wall 402 and a side wall401, and both said walls extend upwardly and contiguously from saidbase's edges (FIGS. 2 and 4).

In another embodiment, the retainers 215 and 315 are similarlyconstructed as described above, except that said retainers extenddownwardly only for a short distance.

In a preferred embodiment, the distance between the side walls 201 isslightly larger than that between the walls 111, so that the drawer 200is nestable within box member 110 (FIGS. 2, 4 and 7 a). Further, thedistance between the walls 322 is slightly larger than that between thewalls 122, and the thickness of the front wall 322 a is slightly smallerthan the distance between the back wall 112 b and the front wall 122 a,so that the posterior compartment 320 is nestable within the box member120 (FIGS. 2, 4, 7 b and 7 c). Additionally, the base of the compartment310 has a substantially similar shape and size to the base of the drawer200, which makes the compartment 310 nestable within drawer 200, thusmaking the drawer 300 nestable within the drawer 200 within the maintray 100. The base of outermost drawer tray, namely of tray 400, has asubstantially similar shape and size to the base of the compartment 310,thereby making the drawer 400 nestable within the drawer 300 within thedrawer 200 within the main tray 100 (FIGS. 1a-c , 2-4 and 7 a).Additionally, the sliding movements of the drawer 200 and that of thedrawer 300 are each coupled to that of the drawer 400 by inserting thefront wall 402 and the side wall 401 respectively within retainers 215and 315 (FIGS. 1c and 2).

In one embodiment, the drawer tray 200 further includes retaining ridges241 a and 241 b, which are short inward extensions of a portion of sidewalls 201 off the upper edges and close to the free vertical edgesthereof (FIGS. 2 and 6 b). The lower faces of the ridges 241 aresubstantially parallel to and slightly offset from the upper edges ofthe side walls 111 (FIGS. 1c and 2). Ridges 241 prevent the drawer tray200 from falling off the box member 110. The tray 200 is nested into boxmember 110 from the underside thereof upwards by slightly andtemporarily forcing the upper portions of the side walls 201transversely and outwardly apart. Because of the resilient nature of thepreferred materials used for the elements and/or trays of the presentinvention (specified in more details below), the side walls 201 springback to their original configuration once the force is removed while theridges 241 clip against the upper edges of walls 111. The drawer tray200 may thereby be slid to and fro the box member 110 without fallingoff therefrom (FIGS. 1a-c and 2). In another embodiment, similarlyconstructed retaining ridges are further provided: ridge 341 off theupper edge and close to the free vertical edge of back wall 322 b, ridge441 a off the upper edge and close to the free vertical edge of frontwall 402, and ridge 441 b off the upper edge and close of the freevertical edge of side wall 401 (FIG. 2). The lower faces of ridges 341,441 a and 441 b are substantially parallel to and slightly offset from,respectively, the upper edges of the walls 122 b, 202 and 311 (FIGS. 1c, 2 and 4). The retaining ridge 341 partially prevents the drawer 300from falling off the main tray 100. The box member 300 is alsoindirectly attached to the main tray 100 by the ridges 441 through thenestable drawer 400 within the drawer 300 within the drawer 200 withinthe main tray 100, as well as through the ridges 241 and the nestabledrawer 200 within tray 100 (FIGS. 1a-c and 2). The retaining ridges 241,along with the retainers 215 and 315, additionally prevent the drawer400 from falling off the drawer 300 within drawer 200 within main tray100 (FIG. 2).

In one embodiment, the front wall of box member 110 includes a recess114 (FIGS. 1c and 2) that allows a user to more conveniently reach aportion of the back side of the front wall 202 to push said front walland therewith both drawer trays 200 and 400, thereby adjusting thelength of the tray 010. In another embodiment, the side wall 121 bincludes a recess 122 (FIG. 1c ) that allows a user to more convenientlyreach the inner side of the side wall 321 to push it sideways andtherewith both drawer trays 300 and 400, thereby adjusting the width ofthe tray 010. In another embodiment, the inner walls of the main tray100 include recesses (121 a, 121 b and 121 c) that aid a user to reachfor items stored within the spaces compartmentalized by said inner walls(FIG. 1c ). In another embodiment, the inner walls of box 120 include norecesses.

In one embodiment, the main tray 100 and the drawer tray 200 include,respectively, foot structures 125 and 225 (FIGS. 5 and 7 a-c). The footstructures 125 and 225 adjust the heights of, respectively, the boxmember 120 and the drawer tray 200 when all elements and structures oftray 010 are nested together, thus advantageously providing for a mostlycontiguous surface on the underside of said tray in a fully collapsedconfiguration and preventing the wobbling of said tray as it is expandedfrom a fully collapsed to a fully extended configuration. Preferably,the foot structure 125 has a length substantially similar to the lengthof the box member 120 and a width substantially similar to thedifference between the widths of the box member 120 and of the posteriorcompartment 320, whereas the foot structure 225 has a lengthsubstantially similar to that of the drawer 200, and a width that issubstantially similar to the difference between the widths of the drawer200 and of the drawer 400.

In another embodiment, a tray includes a main tray 100 b and threedrawer trays (200, 300 b and 400) nestable therein and that may bepulled from or pushed towards the tray 100 b to adjust the tray's lengthand width. The back wall 112 b and the front wall 122 a of tray 100 bextend upwardly from their respective box's base for a short distancebefore combining into a common wall 118 (FIGS. 8 and 9 a-b), therebyforming in between the box members 110 and 120 an inverted U-shapedtunnel 141. The tunnel 141 is substantially lower than the tunnel 140and, accordingly, the front wall 322 a of the drawer tray 300 b extendsupwardly from the base of the posterior compartment 320 for only a shortdistance in this embodiment. Preferably, the front wall 322 a extendsupwardly from the base of the posterior compartment 320 for a distancesubstantially similar to the height of the wall 122 a (FIGS. 8 and 9 b).Advantageously, a lower wall 322 a allows for the storage of longeritems within the compartment confined by the walls 322 b, 321, 311, 401,402, 201 b, 111 b and 121 b (FIG. 8).

In a further embodiment, the first box member of a main tray 100 cincludes a longitudinal, inverted U-shaped tunnel 104 that assists inguiding a first drawer tray to and fro said box member (FIG. 10a-b ).More specifically, a substantial portion of the upper edge of the sidewall 111 b extends outwardly for a short distance before furtherextending downwardly and parallel to the wall 111 b, thereby forming athird side wall 111 c and an inverted U-shaped tunnel 104 therewithin(FIG. 10a-b ). Thus, a first drawer tray 200 may be nestable within saidfirst box member while the side wall 201 b of said first drawer tray isnestable within the tunnel 104, further aiding in guiding said drawertray to and fro said box member.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 11, a tray includes a main tray 100d and three drawer trays (200 d, 300 d and 400 d) nestable therein andthat may be pulled from or pushed towards the tray 100 d to adjust thetray's length and width. In this embodiment, the retainers 215 d and 315d originate from a substantial portion of the upper edges of theirrespective walls. Namely, the retainer 215 d extends outwardly for ashort distance from a substantial portion of the upper edge of the frontwall 202 and it further extends downwardly and parallel to the wall 202,forming therewithin an inverted U-shaped tunnel 204. The tunnel 204 aidsin guiding the drawer tray 400 d to and from the box member 110 throughthe front wall 402. The retainer 315 d extends outwardly for a shortdistance from a substantial portion of the upper of the side wall 311and it further extends downwardly and parallel to the wall 311, formingtherewithin an inverted U-shaped tunnel 304. The tunnels 304 aids inguiding the drawer tray 400 d to and from the anterior compartment 310through the side wall 401. As the drawer tray 400 d in this embodimentis devoid of retaining ridges, such as the ridges 441 depicted in FIG.2, the tray of this embodiment is preferably expanded to a desiredconfiguration while laid on a flat surface to avoid the falling off ofthe tray 400 d from the other tray elements.

In a further embodiment, a drawer tray 400 e is nestable within a drawertray 200 e within a drawer tray 300 e within a main tray 100 e (FIGS.12-14 a-c). In this embodiment, a first box member 110 e has a base, twoside walls parallel to one another (111 a and 111 b), a front wall 112 aand is integrally and contiguously connected to a second box member 120e through a common wall 118 (FIGS. 12 and 14 c). The second box member120 e has a base, two side walls parallel to one another (121 a and 121b) and a back wall 122 b, and all said walls extend upwardly andcontiguously from said base's edges. In one aspect of this embodiment,the box member 120 e is compartmentalized by three longitudinal, innerwalls that extend upwardly from the box's base and are contiguoustherewith and with the box's front and back walls (FIGS. 12).Preferably, a retainer 115 extends outwardly for a short distance from aportion of the upper edge of the side wall 111 a, close to the frontwall 112 a, and it further extends downwardly and parallel to the wall111 a (FIG. 12). In another aspect of this embodiment, the anteriorcompartment 310 e of the drawer tray 300 e further includes a front wall312, which has a retaining ridge 342 off the upper edge and close to thefree vertical edge of said front wall (FIG. 12). Additionally, thedistance between the walls 312 and 322 b is slightly larger that thatbetween the walls 112 a and 122 b, and the size and shape of the basesof compartments 310 e and 320 e conform to the size and shape of thebases of, respectively, box members 110 e and 120 e (FIG. 14a-c ), sothat the tray 300 e is nestable within the main tray 100 e.Advantageously, the ridges 341 and 342 prevent the falling off of tray300 e from the tray 100 e. The drawer tray 200 e has a substantiallyrectangular base, a side wall 201 a and a front wall 202, and both saidwalls extending upwardly and contiguously from said base's edges (FIG.12). The size and shape of the base of tray 200 e conforms to the sizeand shape of the base of the compartment 310 e (FIG. 14a-c ), so thatthe tray 200 e is nestable within the compartment 310 e, thus making thetray 200 e nestable within the tray 300 e within the tray 100 e.Preferably, the wall 201 a is slid in between the retainer 115 and sidewall 111 a and guided along the upper edge thereof by the ridge 241 a,thereby preventing the falling off of tray 200 e from tray 300 e andaiding in guiding the side wall 201 a parallel to the wall 111 a. Adrawer tray 400 e has a substantially rectangular base, a front wall 402and a side wall 401, and both said walls extend upwardly andcontiguously from said base's edges. The base of the tray 400 e also hasa shape and size that conforms to the size and shape of the base of tray200 e (FIG. 14a-c ), so that the tray 400 e is nestable within tray 200e, thus making tray 400 e nestable within tray 200 e within tray 300 ewithin tray 100 e. The trays 300 e and 200 e also include, respectively,retainers 315 and 215, which are constructed as describe above.Preferably, the wall 402 is slid in between the retainer 215 and frontwall 202 and guided along the upper edge thereof by the ridge 441 a,whereas the wall 401 is slid in between the retainer 315 and side wall311 and guided along the upper edge thereof by the ridge 441 b, therebypreventing the falling off of tray 400 e from both trays 200 e and 300 eand aiding in guiding the wall 402 parallel to the wall 202 and the wall401 parallel to the wall 311.

The trays 100, 200, 300 and 400 may be made of a number of materials,including plastics, wood, metal, or combinations thereof. Preferably,the trays 100, 200, 300 and 400 are made of a thermoplastic material.More preferably, the trays 100, 200, 300 and 400 are made of athermoplastic material and are manufactured by injection molding.

It is to be understood that the above described utensil tray may be usedfor various utensils and/or as a utility tray for various tools.

It is to be understood that the term “base” as described above may beinvariably referred to, and may have the same plain meaning as the term“floor”. Further, the term “tunnel” as described above may be invariablyreferred to, and may have the same plain meaning as the term “channel”.

For example, in an embodiment the tray assembly may include aquadrilateral main tray (e.g. main tray 100). The quadrilateral maintray may include a floor 701 (e.g. base) shown in FIGS. 7a-c , the floorhaving a linear gap running from one edge of the floor toward anopposite edge of the floor, the gap being delimited by upstanding wallsdisposed opposite one another, the upstanding walls being interconnectedwith one another by a ridge, the upstanding walls and the ridge defininga channel. For example, the upstanding walls of the main tray 100 may bewalls 112 b and 122 a as shown in FIG. 4. The ridge may be ridge 130shown at least in FIG. 2. The channel may be tunnel 140 or 141 shown inFIGS. 5 and 9 a. An exemplary gap 901 in the floor 701 is shown at leastin FIG. 9a .

The utensil tray assembly may further include a first quadrilateraldrawer tray, such as drawer tray 300. The first quadrilateral drawertray may have a second floor 250 (FIG. 2) that has a boundary edge, theboundary edge having an upstanding edge wall on at least two sides ofthe boundary edge, the first quadrilateral drawer tray having anupstanding interior wall disposed perpendicular to the upstanding edgewall, the upstanding interior wall having a thickness sized for beingslideably disposed in the channel and allowing the second floor 250(FIG. 2) to be slid under the floor 701 (FIG. 7) for setting a size ofthe tray assembly. For example, the upstanding edge wall of the firstquadrilateral drawer tray may include one or more or a combination ofwalls 321, 322 b, and 311 shown in FIG. 4. The upstanding interior wallof the first drawer tray may be 322 a also shown in FIG. 4.

The main tray may have a main tray upstanding edge wall, the main trayupstanding wall having an opening that is an entrance to the channel.For example, the main tray upstanding wall may be 121 b and/or 111 bshown in FIG. 4, alone or in combination. Although FIG. 4 shows walls121 b and 111 b non-co-linear, the walls 121 b and 111 b may beco-linear or co-planar.

The utensil tray assembly may further include a second quadrilateraldrawer tray having a third floor 260 (FIG. 2), with a second boundaryedge, the second boundary edge having a second upstanding edge wall onthree sides of the second boundary edge, the third floor 260 being sizedso that the second upstanding wall slides over a main tray upstandingedge wall around the floor 701. For example, the second drawer tray maybe drawer tray 200, the second upstanding edge wall may be one or acombination of walls 201 a, 202, and 201 b as shown in FIG. 2, and themain tray upstanding edge wall may be one or a combination of walls 111a, 111 b, or 112 a shown in FIG. 4.

The utensil tray assembly may further include a third quadrilateraldrawer tray having a fourth floor 270 (FIG. 2) with a third boundaryedge, the third boundary edge having a third upstanding edge wall on twosides of the third boundary edge. The second upstanding edge wall mayhave an L-shaped retainer attached on a top edge of the secondupstanding edge wall and extending parallel to the second upstandingedge wall for defining a gap (e.g. retainer gap 601 between leg 604 andwall 202, FIGS. 4 and 6 a) between a leg of the retainer and the secondupstanding edge wall, the gap being sized for slideably receiving andholding the third upstanding edge wall therein. For example, the thirddrawer tray may be drawer tray 400, and the third upstanding edge wallmay be one or a combination of walls 401 and 402 shown in FIG. 2. TheL-shaped retainer may be retainer 215 shown in FIG. 2. The leg of theretainer may be parallel to the second upstanding edge wall.

The upstanding edge wall of the first drawer may include a furtherL-shaped retainer attached on a top edge of the upstanding edge wall andwhich extends parallel to the upstanding edge wall to define a secondgap between a leg of the further retainer and the upstanding edge wall,the second gap being sized to slideably receive and hold the thirdupstanding edge wall therein. For example, the further L-shaped retainermay be retainer 315 shown in FIG. 2.

The floor 701 of the main tray may be stepped on one side of the gap 901or the channel for defining a recess for receiving the third floor 260under the floor 701 in a pushed-in position of the second quadrilateraldrawer tray. For example, such a recess is shown in FIG. 5 as recess501. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the floor of the main tray has twoportions that are non-coplanar while still being substantially parallel,such two portions being on opposite sides of the channel 140 or the gap901 in the floor 701. The second floor 250 may be stepped on a side ofthe interior wall, and or a side of the wall lib shown in FIG. 4, thatcorresponds to the one side of the gap 901. As such, the step provides aspace for a floor of another tray to slide under the floor of the maintray.

The second floor 250 may be disposed between the first floor 707 and thethird floor 260 in the recess when the second floor 250 and the thirdfloor 260 are positioned in the recess.

In other words, the utility tray assembly may include a main tray 100having a floor 701 defining two outer sides of the utility trayassembly, the two outer sides having an upstanding wall (e.g. two or acombination of walls 122 b, 122 a, 112 b, and 112 a, FIG. 4) disposedthere along, the floor having a channel disposed centrally in the floor,the channel being parallel with one outer side of the two outer sides.Further, the tray assembly may include a quadrilateral drawer tray 320having a second floor 250 defining a portion of the one outer side and afurther outer side of the utility tray assembly, the portion of the oneouter side and the further outer side having a further upstanding walldisposed there along (e.g., one or a combination of walls 322 b, 321,and 311 FIG. 4), the second floor having an upstanding engaging wall(e.g. wall 322 a, FIG. 4) disposed centrally on the second floor 250 andextending parallel to said portion of the one outer side, the engagingwall being slideably guidable or guided in the channel. For example, ascan be seen in FIG. 4, the wall 322 a has been partially slid into thechannel defined by walls 112 b and 122 a.

The channel may be defined by a first central upstanding wall and asecond central upstanding wall (e.g. between walls 122 a and 112 b)opposite the first central upstanding wall and a ridge (e.g. ridge 130)connecting the first and second central upstanding walls, the floorhaving a gap (e.g. gap 901) formed therein between the first and secondcentral upstanding walls. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the channel 140 isbelow the ridge 130, and in FIG. 9a the gap 901 is opposite the ridge130. The gap could be considered part of the channel.

The utility tray assembly may further include a second quadrilateraldrawer tray having a third floor with a third upstanding wall disposedaround three edges of the third floor, the upstanding wall beingdisposed along three sides of the floor, the third floor being sized forallowing the third upstanding wall to slide around the floor and theupstanding wall.

The floor may be stepped on one side of the channel to define a recesson an underside of the floor, the recess configured to receive the thirdfloor in a pushed-in position of the second quadrilateral drawer tray.

What is claimed is:
 1. A utensil tray assembly comprising: aquadrilateral main tray having a floor, said floor having a linear gaprunning from one edge of said floor toward an opposite edge of saidfloor, said gap being delimited by upstanding walls disposed oppositeone another, said upstanding walls being interconnected with one anotherby a ridge, said upstanding walls and said ridge defining a channel; anda first quadrilateral drawer tray having a second floor with a boundaryedge, said boundary edge having an upstanding edge wall on at least twosides of said boundary edge, said first quadrilateral drawer tray havingan upstanding interior wall disposed perpendicular to said upstandingedge wall, said upstanding interior wall having a thickness sized forbeing slideably disposed in said channel and allowing said second floorto be slid under said floor for setting a size of the tray assembly. 2.The utensil tray assembly according to claim 1, wherein said main trayhas a main tray upstanding edge wall, said main tray upstanding wall hasan opening that is an entrance to said channel.
 3. The utensil trayassembly according to claim 1, further comprising a second quadrilateraldrawer tray having a third floor, with a second boundary edge, saidsecond boundary edge having a second upstanding edge wall on three sidesof said second boundary edge, said third floor being sized so that saidsecond upstanding wall slides over a main tray upstanding edge wallaround said floor.
 4. The utensil tray assembly according to claim 3,further comprising: a third quadrilateral drawer tray having a fourthfloor with a third boundary edge, said third boundary edge having athird upstanding edge wall on two sides of said third boundary edge;said second upstanding edge wall having an L-shaped retainer attached ona top edge of said second upstanding edge wall and extending parallel tosaid second upstanding edge wall for defining a gap between a leg ofsaid retainer and said second upstanding edge wall, said gap being sizedfor slideably receiving and holding said third upstanding edge walltherein.
 5. The utensil tray assembly according to claim 4, wherein saidleg is parallel to said second upstanding edge wall.
 6. The utensil trayassembly according to claim 4, wherein said upstanding edge wall has afurther L-shaped retainer attached on a top edge of said upstanding edgewall and which extends parallel to said upstanding edge wall to define asecond gap between a leg of said further retainer and said upstandingedge wall, said second gap being sized to slideably receive and holdsaid third upstanding edge wall therein.
 7. The utensil tray assemblyaccording to claim 3, wherein said floor is stepped on one side of saidgap for defining a recess for receiving said third floor under saidfloor in a pushed-in position of said second quadrilateral drawer tray.8. The utensil tray assembly according to claim 7, wherein said secondfloor is stepped on a side of said interior wall that corresponds tosaid one side of said gap.
 9. The utensil tray assembly according toclaim 8 wherein said second floor is disposed between said first floorand said third floor in said recess when said second floor and saidthird floor are positioned in said recess.
 10. A utility tray assemblycomprising: a quadrilateral main tray having a floor defining two outersides of the utility tray assembly, said two outer sides having anupstanding wall disposed there along, said floor having a channeldisposed centrally in said floor, said channel being parallel with oneouter side of said two outer sides; and a quadrilateral drawer trayhaving a second floor defining a portion of said one outer side and afurther outer side of the utility tray assembly, said portion of saidone outer side and said further outer side having a further upstandingwall disposed there along, said second floor having an upstandingengaging wall disposed centrally on said second floor and extendingparallel to said portion of said one outer side, said engaging wallbeing slideably guided in said channel.
 11. The utility tray assemblyaccording to claim 10 wherein said channel is defined by a first centralupstanding wall and a second central upstanding wall opposite said firstcentral upstanding wall and a ridge connecting said first and secondcentral upstanding walls, said floor having a gap formed therein betweensaid first and second central upstanding walls.
 12. The utility trayassembly according to claim 11, further comprising a secondquadrilateral drawer tray having a third floor with a third upstandingwall disposed around three edges of said third floor, said upstandingwall being disposed along three sides of said floor, said third floorbeing sized for allowing said third upstanding wall to slide around saidfloor and said upstanding wall.
 13. The utility tray assembly accordingto claim 12 wherein, said floor is stepped on one side of said channelto define a recess on an underside of said floor, said recess receivessaid third floor in a pushed-in position of said second quadrilateraldrawer tray.